special-world-issue-1

FEATURE | MULTI-SENSORYBACK TOCONTENTSSight Word WallThe main concept (vocabulary word) from each page isalso presented using sight word cards. These cards are createdin each student’s reading medium. This could be largeprint, Braille, photograph, symbol or object representation.During the unit, sight words are kept in the LiteracyBin and are presented to the student by placing them ona tiltboard positioned by the book or computer. Studentsexplore the word each time the page of the book is turned.This is repeated throughout the unit. Upon completion ofthe unit, sight word cards are placed on a wall and are madeavailable when students need a reference to recall priorknowledge.along with games, assessments and quizzes can be madequickly and shared with those that have a subscription.CM3 is used during morning meeting to select calendar andschedule choices and during core curriculum class time.CM3 is used during reading class to answer comprehensionquestions and make choices. Teacher-made activitiescan be pulled up spontaneously through the CM3 App onthe iPad or on a computer/dynamic display communicationdevice. Students make choices by directly selecting theanswer through touch or by switch scanning. This is a valuabletool used to monitor information that is being learnedand evaluate which information needs to be taught.Using a head switch to access programs such as SwitchIt!Maker 2 and CM3 this student actively participates by turningthe pages of an electronic book, making choices and answeringquestions. During maths class the students are presented witha tactile pattern on a contrasting background and are asked‘What comes next?’ Using the scanning feature in CM3 studentscan make choices to answer questionsSight-word wall displaying concept/vocabulary words fromthematic curricular units. Cards are made with recycled itemsor inexpensive items bought in bulk from local bargain stores.Sight-word cards have the vocabulary word in print/Braille,symbol or object representation. Sight-word cards are presentedevery time the concept is presented in the bookChooseIt! Maker 3 (CM3)CM3 is an extremely user friendly electronic, choice-makingprogram. Cause-and-effect choice-making activities,Extension activitiesInclusive Technology also offers a variety of switch accessiblesoftware programs and apps. Many of the apps are usedto support the monthly themed curricular units. Theseapps are switch accessible and can also be accessed throughteacher-made, tactile overlays for the iPad. Teacher-createdprop kits are also used in cooperative turn-taking activitiesto reinforce subtraction skills in apps such as ‘FiveSpeckled Frogs’. One student uses the iPad to play/read/sing each phrase while the other student ‘takes away’ onefrog from the log, using the ‘Frogs on a log’ prop kit. Thispromotes active participation and reinforces skills beingtaught during the core curriculum subjects. ·30WWW.SPECIALWORLD.NET | ISSUE 1 | SEPTEMBER 2014